Mail-box.



G. WESTELIN.

MAIL BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED I'EB. s, 1910.

Patented June 21, 1910.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 21, 1910.

Application filed February 3, 1910. Serial No. 541,702.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GOTTFRID WESTELIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Mail-Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail boxes and is more particularly designed as an improvement upon the structure disclosed in an application for United States Letters Patent filed by me on July 16, 1909, said application bearing Serial No. 507,991.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of this character-having a novel form of clip movably connected to the back plate thereof, said clip constituting means whereby the entire box can be readily carried prior to being set up for use.

A still further object is to provide a mail box having a clip which can be shifted into position entirely back of the box so as to occupy the minimum amount of space while the box is not in use, thus reducing the space necessary to store the same or to transport it.

A still further object is to provide a simple means whereby the clips can be held fixed with relation to the back plate.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail box embodying the present improvements, the receptacle portion thereof being shown swung out of normal position. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the box, the position of the clips, when not in use, being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a section on line AB of Fig. 2 and showing the fastening devices engaging the eyes of the clips.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a back plate having longitudinal flanges 2 along the side edges thereof and extending forward therefrom, there being a lid 3 extending from the upper edge of said plate and provided with reinforcing side fianges 1-. This lid constitutes the cover of a mail receptacle 5 which is pivoted at its lower end between the lower ends of the side flanges 2 as indicated at 6, any suitable means, not shown, being provided whereby the receptacle can be maintained normally in position flat against the plate 1 and directly under the top flange or cover 3. A handle 7 may be connected to one side of the receptacle, this handle being designed to extend above the cover 3 and constitutin means whereby the receptacle can be rea ily swung forward so as to expose its contents.

A strip 8 is'pivoted at its center upon the back of the plate 1 adjacent the top thereof as indicated at 9, there being tubular ribs or beads 10 along the ends of this strip and in which are mounted the end portions of a U shaped spring clip 11. The terminals of this clip form eyes 12 which are designed, when the clip is extended above the cover 3, to register with openings 13 formed within the plate 1.

l/Vhen it is desired to pack or store the box herein described, it is merely necessary to swing the strip 8 about its pivot so as to bring the clip 11 into the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. When the box is to be set up for use, the strip 8 is swung about its pivot until the clip 11 extends above the top flange or cover 3 and the eyes 12 register with the openings 13. The plate 1 is then placed against a suitable supporting structure and nails 14: or the like are driven through openings 13 and the eyes 12 and serve not only to secure the plate 1 to the supporting structure but also to lock the strip 8 and the bail 11 against swinging movement with relation to the plate. lVhen the parts are thus secured the upper end portion of the clip will bear against the supporting structure and said clip will therefore cooperate with the structure to clamp upon any papers or other objects which may be placed between the structure and the clips.

It is of course to be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the class described including a back plate, said plate having fastener receiving openings, a bail mounted for swinging movement upon said plate and having terminal eyes disposed to register with the openings to receive the fastening means.

2. A mail box including a back plate, and

a clip pivotally mounted upon said plate and movable in a plane parallel with the plate,

said clip being shiftable into position beyond one end of the plate to constitute a 5 combined handle and holding device.

3. A mail box including a back plate, a spring bail constituting a clip, a connection between opposed portions of said bail, said connection being pivotally mounted 10 upon the plate, and means for securing said plate to a supporting structure andholding said bail and connection against movement about the pivot.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature 15 in the presence of two witnesses.

GOTTFRID WESTELIN.

Witnesses:

L. F. M. EASTERDAY, LEWIS GREGORY. 

